menu toggle

In global pharmaceutical logistics, being good distribution practice (GDP) compliant is more than just a standard — it is a commitment to excellence. At World Courier, we understand the critical importance of adhering to GDP standards, particularly when handling temperature and time sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. That is why we have gone to great lengths to be certified against three major GDP standards: EU, WHO GDP, and USP <1079>. 

Our adherence to these global guidelines ensures that we consistently deliver high-quality service to our clients. 

In this page we will explore what being GDP compliant means, the significance of operating a GDP compliant facility, and how World Courier upholds these standards across its global operations. We invite you to explore our dedication to quality beyond compliance.

 

What does it mean to be GMP Compliant?

Being good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant means adhering to quality, consistency, and safety in medicinal product production and distribution. GMP is the minimum standard for medicines manufacturing, ensuring high-quality, appropriate products that meet Marketing Authorisation (MA) or product specifications.

GDP, complementary to GMP, mandates consistent storage, transportation, and handling of medicines under suitable conditions.

As a crucial player in the medical supply chain, World Courier excels in both GMP compliance and GDP adherence. Our commitment goes beyond meeting these standards — we strive for excellence in maintaining high-quality standards exceeding both GMP and GDP guidelines, because we understand the criticality of product quality in the scope of clinical trials. Our dedication guarantees regulatory compliance and patient safety for products, especially experimental ones with logistical challenges due to unknown stability.

Whether you are curious about what is a GMP compliant facility or wondering ‘what does GMP compliance mean’, understanding these rigorous standards is key to appreciating the value we provide at every step of our supply chain. Our storage facilities globally uphold top-tier standards, ensuring compliance with both local and international GMP regulations.

How our medical courier services remain GDP compliant

A strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Our SOPs are designed and enforced to ensure consistent high-quality service delivery in alignment with GDP guidelines. Our strong internal audit process is designed to ensure alignment with global standards.

Committed to continuous improvements that minimize risk and facilitate sustainable process controls

We continuously refine our processes, seeking ways to minimize risks and enhance sustainable process controls that further elevate our service quality. Continuous improvement tools are embedded into our incident management processes to prevent reoccurrence. Furthermore, our global Continuous Improvement department seeks opportunities for efficiency and optimization to reduce risk while being cost effective.

Engaging all major stakeholders both inside and outside the supply chain on a shipment-by-shipment basis

We foster transparent communication with all stakeholders, maintaining quality throughout the cold chain. Our responsibility extends to subcontracted services, enforcing global vendor management policies for compliance with regulations, licensing, GxP adherence, data privacy, and environmental policies. We strive for excellence in our service delivery through true partnerships with vendors.

Ensuring our delivery team and drivers are trained to the highest standards to maintain quality

Our delivery teams undergo comprehensive training programs that equip them with the knowledge and skills required to uphold our stringent quality standards. This applies to our entire network of partners.

How our compliance with GMP guidelines benefits you

Our unwavering commitment to GMP compliance and GDP adherence translates into tangible benefits for our clients:
ICS_Brooks_3PL_Cryogenic_088_rgb_rtchd_JPG

Delivering consistency 

Our strict adherence to GMP compliant standards ensures consistent high-quality of your products. You can trust us to maintain the integrity and efficacy of your medicines from production through delivery — at every step of the cold supply chain.

Protecting your investment and our environment 

By following GDP regulations along with our GMP compliant practices, we safeguard your temperature-controlled products while contributing to environmental sustainability. Our stringent temperate controlled storage, transportation, and handling procedures minimize waste and ensure product safety.

Revolutionizing quality management

Our commitment to continuous improvement underpins a proactive approach in quality management. As part of being GMP compliant, we consistently refine processes, optimize our cold supply chains, and enhance our climate-controlled storage.

Other international guidelines we adhere to

  • National and State Board of Pharmacy licensed (where applicable)
  • WHO good Distribution practices for pharmaceutical products, TRS No. 957 Annex 5
  • EU Guidelines on good distribution practice of medicinal products for human use (2013/C 343/01)
  • USP <1079> Good Storage and Shipping Practices for Drug Products, US Pharmacopeia 
  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 21 Part 11 compliant
 

Why choose World Courier?

We are a leader among pharma logistics companies, dedicated to specialized healthcare logistics. Our 22 global GDP compliant depots and specialized expertise in transporting temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals underscore our adherence to pharmaceutical warehousing compliancy requirements.

We ensure secure, timely delivery of products within specific temperature ranges, setting us apart from other pharmaceutical logistics companies. Our unique strength lies in our global network that enables seamless collaboration with diverse organizations worldwide. This versatility meets the distinct logistical needs of different regions, making us a trusted partner for complex international operations in the healthcare sector.

50+
countries with dedicated teams on the ground
4000+
team members
120+
company-owned facilities globally

Customer testimonials

"Tailored service meeting our special (and sometimes very demanding) needs."

- A World Courier customer

"World Courier has world-class customer service! Shipment tracking is controlled as per regulatory requirements for good distribution practices. Communication is transparent and personnel show accountability."

- A World Courier customer

ifs

How to place a medical delivery with World Courier

ifs

At World Courier, we've simplified the shipping process to provide you with a seamless and efficient experience. Our user-friendly system is designed for your convenience, making it easier than ever to manage your orders.

From the initial order placement to tracking your shipments, every step is designed with you in mind. With our easy-to-download forms and direct email communication, you're always in control of your shipping needs. Plus, our customer portal provides a comprehensive platform where you can manage addresses, set alerts, upload documents and more.

ifs

Witness GxP compliance in action

Experience our commitment to GxP compliance firsthand. Watch this video showcasing our newly-opened Istanbul, Türkiye depot, where stringent standards meet world-class pharmaceutical logistics.

GDP Compliant FAQs

Being GDP-compliant means adherence to quality standards in distribution. A strong quality management system is the first step to meet GDP requirements, including documentation and training processes, risk and change management, supplier management, auditing processes, and a focus on infrastructure, equipment, and people.

A GDP compliant facility maintains these standards consistently. In essence, it is about risk minimization and quality assurance in pharmaceutical logistics. World Courier supports this by providing GDP-compliant logistics solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.

GMP stands for good manufacturing practice, while cGMP is current good manufacturing practice. The latter implies ongoing adherence to the most recent standards. World Courier ensures both GMP and cGMP compliance in its logistics services, keeping pharmaceutical products safe and effective.

World Courier: Your globally certified GDP compliant partner